Free Tribute to the Troops Page

March, 2010 Edition

January, 2010 Edtion

Pearl Harbor Day 12/07/09

Veterans Day Edition

 September Edition

 August Edition

 Independence Day Edition

Flag Day Edition

Memorial Day Edition

Armed Forces Day Edition

Patriots on Purpose – Author, Hal Mitchell

Tribute to the Troops – Pearl Harbor Day 12/07/09

It is my distinct pleasure to post some pictures and videos in honor of America’s Armed Forces who put their lives on the line for us every day of the year.  I would like to honor in particular, some patriots in my own family:

My grandson, David Montemayor, Marines, who did two tours in the Middle East: One tour in Kuwait and recently returned from a tour in Iraq; granddaughter Alicia Coy Oswald, Air Force, currently attending Intelligence School in Texas, and her husband JT Oswald, Air Force, on duty in Afghanistan; and grandson Anthony Michel, Marines, who recently graduated from boot camp at MCRD in San Diego, also headed for Intelligence school.  You are all Super Patriots.  I and all of America salute you. Huuaaaa!

The following story comes from my friend at the VA, Dennis Robison

Camp Pendleton - March 2, 2006

Karla Comfort received a lot of looks and even some salutes from people when she drove from Benton , Ark. , to Camp Pendleton , Calif. , in her newly-painted, custom Hummer H3 March 2. The vehicle is adorned with the likeness of her son, 20-year-old Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, and nine other Marines with F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7 th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division who where all killed by the same improvised explosive device blast in Fallujah, Iraq, in December.

For Karla Comfort, having the vehicle air brushed with the image of the 10 Marines was a way to pay homage to her hero and his fellow comrades who fell on Iraq's urban battlefield. I wanted to let people know (Marines) are doing their jobs honorably, and some of them die,' said the 39-year-old from Portland, OR 'I don't want people to forget the sacrifices that my son and the other Marines made.'

Leading up to her son's death, Karla Comfort had received several letters from him prior to his return. He had been deployed for five months, and Comfort 'worried everyday he was gone until she got the letters and found out the date he was coming home,' she said.  Marines knocked on the front door of her home in Farmington, Mich. , at 3 am with the dreadful news. I let my guard down when I found out he was coming home,' she said. 'There are times that I still cannot believe it happened .  It's

very hard to deal with.'

Karla Comfort came up with the idea for the rolling memorial when she and her two other sons attended John's funeral in Portland , Ore. I saw a Vietnam (War) memorial on a car, and I said to my son Josh, 'we should do something like that for John,' she recalled. 'He loved Hummers.' She purchased the vehicle in January and immediately took it to AirbrushGuy & Co. in Benton , Ark. , where artist Robert Powell went to work on changing the plain, black vehicle into a decorative, mobile, art piece.  I only had the vehicle for two days before we took it in,' she joked.

Let’s get this Hummer going around the world!  We won’t forget!  Pass it on!

In God we trust!

 Hal Mitchell

PS and FYI

Tribute to the Troops

Veteran's Day - Nov 11, 2009

It is my distinct pleasure to post some pictures and videos in honor of America’s Armed Forces who put their lives on the line for us every day of the year.  I would like to honor in particular, Some patriots in my own family:

My grandson, David Montemayor, Marines, who did two tours in the Middle East: One tour in Kuwait and recently returned from a tour in Iraq; granddaughter Alicia Coy Oswald, Air Force, currently attending Intelligence School in Texas, and her husband JT Oswald, Air Force, on duty in Afghanistan; and grandson Anthony Michel, Marines, who recently graduated from boot camp at MCRD in San Diego, also headed for Intelligence school.  You are all Super Patriots.  I and all of America salute you. Huuaaaa!

The videos and stories posted on this Veterans Day are for the prime purpose of saluting our men and women in our Armed Forces and veterans who deserve our total thanks and respect for their sacrifices and dedication to duty.  No military in the world can hold a candle to that of the Unted States of America.  Happy Veteran's Day!

The first video I would like to show is an amazing Power Point presentation below, called Cockpits.  When you click on it you will get an idea of the skill and discipline required by pilots and navigators in order to operate these complicated flying machines.  Our hats off to all who have mastered these skills, both military and civilian alike. This degree of skill and technology is made possible by the American Free Enterprise system and is what you fight to protect.  Aren't you proud to be an American?   (to view this video you may have to click "slide show" and "start slide show from beginning" after clicking "Cockpits")  Enjoy:

                                                  Cockpits

Following is a heart warming story of the skill and bravery of a military rescue and surgical crew who ignored protocol and risked their own lives in order to remove a live RPG round from a wounded comrade who would certainly have died but for their brave actions.

                                          Live RPG Removal

The following story is about Shifty Powers, a WWII veteran, who deserves honor that he did not get.  As you read his story you too may recall someone or maybe you yourself, who deserves the same honor.  Whoever you are, we honor you today, vicariously, through this story of Shifty Powers:

        Band of Brothers – Fwd from Dennis Robison, VA

Shifty Powers, War Hero

We’re hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services. How about a nationwide memorial service for Darrell “Shifty” Powers? Too much to ask?? 

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you’ve seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn’t know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the “Screaming Eagle”, the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he’d been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said “Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . “ at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said “I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?” At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said “I also made a second jump into Holland , into Arnhem .” I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said “Yes. And it’s real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can’t make the trip.” My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I’d take his in coach.

He said “No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy.” His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer. There was no parade. No big event in Staples Center. No wall to wall, back to back, 24x7 news coverage. No weeping fans on television. And that’s not right.

Let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

“A nation without heroes is nothing.” Roberto Clemente

I would like to dedicate the video below by Karen Bunker with music by Alan Jackson to all our troops and all our veterans.  May the hand of God protect you all. Amen!

                                          Utlimate Freedom

Remember, don't just wait for a special holiday to honor the troops.  Honor them everyday.  When you see them out in public make a special effort to thank them for their service to our country.  If you can, do something special for them.

Don't forget, freedom is never free!

Patriots on Purpose is always FREE to all active duty military personnel. Remember, don't be a pinhead!  Be a Patriot!  Support America!  Support our Troops! 

Hal Mitchell - www.info@patriotsonpurpose.com  -  www.patriotsonpurpose.com

Tribute to the Troops – Sep, 2009 Edition

Honor for the Greatest Military the World has Ever Known
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It is my distinct pleasure to post some pictures and videos in honor of America’s Armed
Forces who put their lives on the line for us every day of the year.  I would like to honor
in particular my grandson, David Montemayor, Marines, who recently returned from a
tour in Iraq; granddaughter Alicia Coy Oswald, Air Force, currently attending
Intelligence school in Texas, and her husband JT Oswald, Air Force, in Afghanistan; and grandson Anthony Michel, Marines, who recently graduated from boot camp at MCRD in San Diego, also headed for Intelligence school.  You are all Super Patriots.  I and all of America salute you. Huuaaaa!

Following are some outstanding pictures and videos, as I promised:

MFN Helicopter  Shock Video	Eagle VS Fighting Falcon   Shock and Awe	Water Crash, Pilot Bails     Splash at Beach

                                                    
 

You’ll love the Power Point presentation called “Drone Controller” described below:

Drones flying in the Middle East are controlled out of Fallon, NV.(near Las Vegas)  You would think these folks were playing a video game but they are flying aircraft from half-way across the world.  Watch how it's done, this is so amazing. These missiles fired from Nevada kill a Taliban leader in Afghanistan.

Drone Controller

Patriots on Purpose Tribute to the Troops  Independence Day, 2009

Independence Day Slideshow
Disney MGM Independence Day Fireworks
Beautiful Rockets & Explosions
Largest Fireworks Display in America
Martina McBride – God Bless America
Tucson Tea Party
Click to order free Heritage Foundation Pocket Constitution

	Independence Day Event Featuring Tammy Bruce National Radio Personality
Tammy Bruce to be a guest speaker at the Tucson Tea Party Independence Day Event

Watch the fireworks atop A Mountain at 9p.m.
 Where: Kennedy Park Fiesta Area
3700 S La Cholla (at Ajo Way)
For more information visit http://tucsonteaparty.org

Don’t miss the Power Point presentation of The USS Montana and the US Navy Seals Water Pickup at the bottom of this page!

Independence Day: Our Christian
Heritage              

David Barton
Wallbuilders

CBN.com – The Birth of a Nation
For more than 225 years, America has been blessed as the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. David says these blessings are not accidental – they are blessings of God. David says that this is evident as we look at the turmoil in other nations and contrast that to the stability we see in America. Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding of the foundations on which this great country was built, and then it depends on preserving the principles on which it was founded.

David says on July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from England. Two days later, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. Four days later, members of Congress took the document and read it out loud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, and afterwards they rang the Liberty Bell. The inscription on the top of the bell is Leviticus 25:10, which reads, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof."
John Adams said, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity." Probably the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters that day: One was short and jubilant that the Declaration had been approved; the other letter was much longer and gave serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams could already foresee that their actions would be celebrated by future generations.

A Different Holiday
Adams also noted: "This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." He felt the celebration should be in a manner that would commemorate the day as a "day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." John Adams believed that the Fourth of July should be a religious holiday. The two top holidays celebrated in this country are Christmas and the Fourth of July. According to John Quincy Adams, the two dates are connected. On the Fourth of July, the Founding Fathers simply took the precepts of Christ and His birth (Christmas) and incorporated those principles into civil government.

The Declaration of Independence was the birth certificate for this nation, but the men who signed it knew it could be their death warrant. The closing paragraph states, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance of the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The 56 Founding Fathers, 27 of whom were trained as ministers, took their pledge seriously. On the morning of the signing, there was silence and gloom as each man was called up to the table of the President of Congress to sign the document, knowing that it could mean their death by hanging.

Most wars have a motto. The motto of World War II was "Remember Pearl Harbor." The motto during the Texas war for independence was "Remember the Alamo." The spiritual emphasis, directed towards King George III who violated God’s laws, gave rise to a motto during the American Revolution: "No King but King Jesus." David reminds us that the Founding Fathers passed the torch to us. It is our responsibility to not let it go out.
More from the Foundations of Freedom special feature
More Church History on Spiritual Life
More from Spiritual Life

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. 

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.  John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.  Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

USS Montana....LOL

Navy Seals water pick up

This is a rarely seen perspective: It is a video of a U.S. Navy SEAL extraction which was filmed from inside an MH-47 Chinook helicopter.

The pilot has lowered the ramp, dipped the tail end into the water to partially flood the compartment, (a maneuver that requires quite precise flying) and awaits the Navy Seals to board in their F470 Zodiac. So awesome, it gives me chills!!

You have just got to LOVE the skill of our military....

Patriots on Purpose is always FREE to all active duty military personnel.  Support America, Support the Troops and God Bless America!  Remember, don’t be a pinhead, be a Patriot!

Hal Mitchell – info@patriotsonpurpose.com – www.patriotsonpurpose.com

                Patriots on Purpose – Tribute to the Troops – June, 2009 Edition 

June 14 was Flag Day.  I wonder how many people in the US flew the American flag that day.  I wonder how many people in America honor the flag today or stand at attention when it is passing.  I also wonder how many people know the pledge of allegiance or who stand still when the National Anthem is played before a ball game.  I’m inclined to believe not many.  Just in case some have forgotten the Pledge of Allegiance here it is:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  

For protocol on honoring the flag click here

Following are a few videos showing what some thought of our Flag & the Pledge:
1) Red Skeleton and the Pledge
2) John Wayne and the Pledge
3) Johnny Cash and the Flag
4) Battle Hymn of Republic
5) US Marines Battle Hymn
6) Obama and the Pledge

Now that I have your attention concerning the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance treat yourself to the following power point presentation emailed to me by my friend at the VA, Dennis Robison.  It shows the splendid array of aircraft and the dedication and discipline of all those in the Armed Forces who fly these amazing machines, all for the sole purpose of protecting us and all that our Flag represents.  Let us not only honor the Flag but all those who defend it.  Enjoy:

Click here on on the photo to view slide show : USFighterAircraft.pps

Some  may have to do these two things after clicking on the picture:

1)Click on Slide Show

2)Click on Start slide Show from beginning, in order to view the power point presentation.

Don’t be a pinhead!  Be a Patriot!  Support America! Support our Troops!

Hal Mitchell - info@patriotsonpurpose.com  - www.patriotsonpurpose.com

    Patriots on Purpose – Memorial Day Edition

A Patriotic Conservative Monthly newsletter with timely commentary, researched and designed to keep you informed on important issues of the day.

(This edition is free)

The following story was forwarded to me by Dennis Robison, my friend at the VA.

CEMETERY ESCORT DUTY

I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 mode Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.
Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old lady along, we might make it to Smokey's in time. I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I
began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint. 'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?' She took long enough to answer. 'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.' 'My pleasure, ma'am.' Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.

She looked again. 'Marine, where were you stationed?'' Vietnam, ma'am. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.' She looked at me closer. 'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can.' I lied a little bigger: 'No hurry, ma'am.' She smiled and winked at me. 'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time .''Yes, ma'am. At your service.'

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I
couldn't quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944. She paused for a second. 'Two more, son, and
we'll be done'. I almost didn't say anything, but, 'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'

She looked confused. 'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.' I pointed with my chin. 'That way, ma'am.' 'Oh!' she chuckled quietly. 'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.'

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC,
1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out.

'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.' Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?' She paused. 'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.'

She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully. I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car. 'Get to the 'Out' gate quick. I have something I've got to do.' Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service
road. We beat her. She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.' I humped it across the drive to the other post. When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut! Present Haaaarms!'

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye—full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud. She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldier giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to
her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.'

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

'In God We Trust.'

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

You are required to pass this on NOW!!!

"That these honored dead shall not have died in vain" - Abraham Lincoln

Prayer for our Troops
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.
Amen!

Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!  Please send this on after a short prayer.  When you see this, please stop for a moment and say your own personal prayer for our troops around the world. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, airman, and others deployed in harm’s way, prayer is the very best thing.  God bless you for passing it on!   IN GOD WE TRUST!

This has been a FREE edition of Patriots on Purpose. You are cordially invited to click below at “sign up now. . .” for an additional FREE edition or to become a regular subscriber. It has been a pleasure to serve you. Remember, Patriots on Purpose is always FREE to all active duty military personnel and 10% of all proceeds will be donated to The Wounded Warrior Project.

God Bless,
Remember, Don’t be a pinhead!  Be a Patriot!  Support America & Support our Troops!
Hal Mitchell – info@patriotsonpurpose.com – www.patriotsonpurpose.com

              Patriots on Purpose – Armed Forces Day Edition

A Patriotic Conservative Monthly newsletter with timely commentary, researched and designed to keep you informed on important issues of the day.

(This edition is free)

I am honored to be able to present the following tribute to America’s special Patriots and heroes, The US Military, on Armed Forces Day, May 16, 2009. 

Just click below and view:


Our Military in action (Click and scroll down to view all the action)

Check out the following stunning shots of the Navy in action:

    
(Click picture to start the sequence of Navy photos This is a power point presentation. Once it has downloaded click the first photo to start show)

How can you not be proud of our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line for our safety and comfort?

Click here for Audie Murphy video tribute (The most decorated hero of WWII – We still have these kinds of hero’s today, thank God!)

The above picture sequences are courtesy of my friend at the VA, Dennis Robison, another real Patriot. (Dennis.Robison@va.gov) Thanks Dennis.

This has been a FREE edition of Patriots on Purpose. You are cordially invited to click below at “sign up now. . .” for an additional FREE edition or to become a regular subscriber. It has been a pleasure to serve you. Remember, Patriots on Purpose is always FREE to all active duty military personnel and 10% of all proceeds will be donated to The Wounded Warrior Project.

God Bless,
Remember, Don’t be a pinhead!  Be a Patriot!  Support America & Support our Troops!
Hal Mitchell – info@patriotsonpurpose.com – www.patriotsonpurpose.com